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Friday, August 29, 2008

Bits of This and That

We have bits and pieces about Ranger prospects as they report to the various training camps so here is the latest:

Tomas Kundratek

Tomas Kundratek (2008 3rd rd) has reported to the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL but can not play until his transfer card from the Czech Republic. In an article in the Medicine Hat News, Darren Steinke reports that Kundratek had to watch today's practice from the stands.

This quote from the article does bother us because we have had some concerns about how exactly Kundratek got out from his contract with Trinec of the Czech Extraliga.

“It will be a lot better if he can skate when we are playing in the playoffs or playing in the regular season,” said (Willie) Desjardins (Medicine Hat coach and GM), who didn’t go into detail about why the stall is happening. “Right now, it is not a big deal.”

The reason we are curious is because there is no Player Transfer Agreement so by rights the Rangers could not work out any sort of agreement for Kundratek's release.

Evgeny Grachev

In Brampton the Ranger's other 2008 3rd round pick Evgeny Grachev still has not reported to the Brampton Battalion as he is recovering from a hip pointer. The injury is not viewed as serious but Grachev is remaining in New York while he recovers.

Grachev is expected in Brampton by the end of the week and then on to Traverse City on September 11th with the rest of Ranger prospects.

Micheal Del Zotto

The Ranger's 2008 first round pick has been taking part in practices this week with the Oshawa Generals as Del Zotto is clearly a focal point on this season's General team.

Friday Del Zotto is expected to play in a public scriminage with the rest of the Generals.

Chris Doyle, Antoine Lafleur

While one (Doyle) knows where he will be playing this season with Prince Edward Island, Antoine Lafleur remains in limbo not knowing if the Rocket will keep him or trade him.

The 2007 2nd round pick Lafleur has no shot at winning the starting goalie job with the Rocket so a trade is expected but the question is when. This is very unfair to Lafleur who deserves to have some idea as where he will play this season.

As for the 2008 5th round pick Chris Doyle, he enters the camp with the Rocket as one of the veteran players who will be expected to lead the Rocket this season. Doyle as well as Lafleur will also be heading to Traverse City.

Dale Wiese

Wiese had a goal during the annual Black/White game this week in Swift Current. Wiese if he is not signed by the Rangers is expected to be named the Bronco Captain.

We will look closer at the Traverse City roster over the weekend breaking down the unknowns to Ranger fans

3 comments:

The Rocket acquired the best goalie in the league last year, at this year's draft, so the Rocket currently have a surplus of goalies, so Lafluer will be traded its just a matter of when. I plan on taking in some practices and exhibition games as I live only a few minutes from the rink where the Rocket play. I want to check out Doyle and see how he plays before he goes the the Traverse City Tournament, I'll send some pics if I can.